Koehler announces Peoria selected to offer Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced Tuesday that older adults in Peoria will soon benefit from the newly-launched Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, which will expand options for community-based care and allow eligible seniors to continue living safely at home.

“PACE will create for Illinois seniors a holistic and locally-based option that provides quality, integrated care,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “The option to continue living safely in the community will greatly enhance the quality of life for Illinois seniors who enroll in the program.”

The PACE program expands options for seniors in Illinois who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare when it comes to choosing the care they receive. It creates flexibility for older adults and their families, caregivers and health care providers to meet each individual’s health care needs while they continue to live in their homes and communities. Services include holistic care planning and coordination, long term services and supports, therapies, medications, mental health care and hospital care, if necessary.

In order to qualify for PACE, a senior must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 55 years old
• Live in one of the PACE service areas
• Qualify for nursing home care while still able to live safely in the community

OSF Healthcare System in Peoria is one of eight organizations across Illinois chosen by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to offer PACE to local seniors, along with health care facilities in West Chicago, South Chicago, Southern Cook County and East St. Louis.

“PACE creates a new set of supports to assist in what most families want – for their loved one to continue living safely at home for as long as possible,” Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Theresa Eagleson said. “PACE programs will be community-based and specialized in their geographic areas and take responsibility for holistic health care for seniors who choose to enroll. We are proud to be working to offer another incredible choice for care in our array of HealthChoice Illinois options and think this will mean a better quality of life for seniors and their families.”

Seniors in the five selected communities are anticipated to have access to PACE in the 2024 fiscal year, joining 31 other states currently offering PACE services. Nationwide, an estimated 60,000 older adults benefit from PACE access. More information about PACE is available on HFS’s website.

Koehler encourages local organizations to apply for early childhood grants

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced $100 million in grants available to public school districts and non-profit operators of early childhood centers, and urges local qualifying organizations to apply.

“We can set kids on the right path by investing in our early education programs,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “Those first few years can be incredibly impactful, and we want to make sure we’re giving kids every possible opportunity to succeed.”

The funding comes through the Capital Development Board, in consultation with the Illinois State Board of Education, and grants will be released in two rounds. The first round of $60 million will be awarded in fall of 2022 and the remaining $40 million will be awarded at a later date.

In order to be eligible to receive a grant, recipients are required to match between 3% and 10% of the funds, as determined by the ISBE Tier level for the local elementary school district. Grants may be used for projects such as adding on to existing facilities, constructing new buildings, or carrying out safety improvements or renovations in classrooms.

“There are so many great programs here in our community that I know could really benefit from this investment,” Koehler said. “I hope they’ll take advantage of this opportunity.”

Applications are due by Oct. 10, 2022. Interested organizations can find more information and apply online.

Koehler announces nearly $1 million in maintenance grants for local schools

PEORIA – State Senator Dave Koehler announced nearly $1 million in grants for schools across the 46^th District, thanks to funds distributed by the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Education is one of the most important things we can invest in,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By making sure classrooms and school buildings in our community are well-maintained and up-to-date, we give students a safe place to learn and set them up to succeed.”

A total of $30 million in 2022 School Maintenance Grants was distributed to 600 applicants across the state. To be eligible for the grants, applicants were required to match the state funds and commit to completing proposed projects within two years.

The 20 local school districts receiving a total of $ 970,282.50 in funding are:

• CUSD 3 Fulton County - $50,000.00
• Canton Union SD 66 - $50,000.00
• Lewistown CUSD 97 - $50,000.00
• Special Education Association of Peoria County - $50,000.00
• Norwood ESD 63 - $50,000.00
• Bartonville SD 66 - $50,000.00
• Oak Grove SD 68 Bartonville - $50,000.00
• Pleasant Hill SD 69 - $50,000.00
• Monroe SD 70 - $50,000.00
• Farmington Central CUSD 265 - $50,000.00
• Limestone CHSD 310 - $50,000.00
• Limestone Walters CCSD 316 - $50,000.00
• Peoria Heights CUSD 325 - $50,000.00
• Illini Bluffs CUSD 327 - $50,000.00
• Hollis Consolidated SD 328 - $50,000.00
• District 50 Schools - $50,000.00
• Creve Coeur SD 76 - $50,000.00
• North Pekin & Marquette Heights SD 102 - $27,500.00
• Pekin CSD 303 - $50,000.00
• East Peoria CHSD 309 - $42,782.50

Projects made possible thanks to these grants include updates to heating and cooling, improvements to ventilation, increased accessibility throughout buildings and more.

A full list of grantees and awards can be viewed on the ISBE website.

Koehler announces a $400,000 state grant for an East Peoria park

PEORIA – To kick off Parks and Recreation Month, State Senator Dave Koehler announced $400,000 in funding for a local park project.

“Spending time in nature is a great way to keep both our minds and bodies healthy,” said Koehler (D-Peoria). “By bringing these investments to our community, we create outdoor spaces residents are excited to take advantage of.”

Through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant program, Levee Park in East Peoria will receive $400,000 to build a spray pad and amphitheater to be enjoyed by community members of all ages.

Grants are administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and support local park projects. When combined with local matching funds, the latest OSLAD grants provide more than $56 million in local park development projects and land acquisitions statewide.

“I hope members of our community will join me in celebrating this Parks and Recreation Month by getting outside and enjoying everything nature has to offer,” Koehler said.

Learn more about OSLAD grants and see a full list of projects on the Illinois DNR website.